Hob of Pelaw

1237

Hob of Pelaw, the unlucky entertainer at Durham, was employed by the prior of Durham, Thomas Melsomby in 1237 for the entertainment of the monks. His tight rope was rigged between the Central Tower and West Tower of Durham Cathedral. He fell during the act, much to the horror of the audience, and died. He is now buried at the north door, very near to the place he fell.

King Henry III, who didn’t trust the Prior, then took the opportunity to informed him that he had destroyed his chances of becoming the next Bishop of Durham partly as a consequence of the workplace death of this unfortunate fonambulist (wire/rope walker).